Events

Rev. Mary Beth Morgan’s Ordination

Sunday, June 13, 10:00 am: Ordination Service

This month at Annual Conference, our Associate  Pastor, Mary Beth Morgan, is being ordained as a Deacon in Full Connection in the United Methodist Church. The service will take place at Emens Auditorium on the Ball State University Campus in Muncie. This is a very significant moment in Mary Beth’s life, one she has been working toward for a number of years. During this time, she has also been a wise, inspiring  spiritual leader; an energetic, creative organizer; and a compassionate, insightful counselor, both to the people of St. Mark’s and those at First United Methodist Church. When Bishop Coyner lays his hands on Mary Beth, her friends and family in attendance will be encouraged to stand in support. Thus, anyone who would like to attend the service is encouraged to do so. If you are interested in carpooling to Muncie, please contact the church office at 332-5788, Pam Vanzant at 824-7093, or email pj.vanzant@yahoo.com.

Sunday, June 20, noon: Pitch-in Lunch and Reception

The Pastor-Staff-Parish Committee will host a pitch-in lunch and reception to honor Rev. Mary Beth Morgan following her ordination the previous week. Please bring salad dishes to share (Because of severe allergies, no nuts please!), and your own table service. PSP will provide meat, drinks, and cake. After lunch, there will be an opportunity to share the many Mary Beth stories and memories we have experienced in the almost two years she has been at St. Mark’s. In addition, we have invited the folks from First United Methodist Church to join us, and look forward to being in fellowship with them. Won’t it be fun to honor our pastor without having to say good-by!

VBS July 2010: Building for the Future

Vacation Bible School: July 12-16, 5:30pm-8pm, at St. Mark’s UMC

Get ready to build for the future through missions and ministry with Under Construction: A Habitat for Humanity Vacation Bible School! This is a very special VBS experience. Under Construction welcomes preschoolers (3-4 year olds) through 6th graders (completed) to share Christian faith through service to the church and to the community beyond the church.

Under Construction is missions in action—a VBS designed to share God’s love and encourage children to grow in Christian service habits. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, the well-known and respected non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry, your children will discover the joy of Christian faith made more relevant through service to others. The program is biblically based, uses a construction theme, and involves children in   activities that teach the value of “building” Christian community and participating in outreach service missions. Program elements include Bible theme activities, worship, music, dramas, community stories, and special craft projects for the children.

A unique feature of Under Construction is how it involves children directly in service and ministry through Habitat for Humanity International. While children do not participate in the construction of Habitat homes, they do discover the joy of serving by creating crafts that are given to Habitat partner families and volunteers. An offering taken by the children during VBS will be dedicated to providing housing for people in need through the ministries of Habitat for Humanity.

For pre-registration or to find out how you can help with Under Construction, call Emily Miller at 332-5788, 812-322-4690, or emily_miller_114@comcast.net.

Adults Can Build Too!

Under Construction is a very exciting VBS with many volunteer opportunities! We need adult volunteers to help teach kids about Christian faith and ministry that works beyond the walls of the church! Worship, teaching, music, dramas, activities, and very special carpentry crafts all need adult supervision and assistance. To help, contact Emily Miller at 332-5788, 322-4690, or emily_miller_114@comcast.net.

UMCOR Haiti Relief Update

The Church Continues to Respond

As of March 19, 2010, and more than two months after the January 12 earthquake that devastated Haiti, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), continues to receive gifts from churches, individuals, and organizations to support the people in Haiti.  The Hoosier United Methodists gave $455,684 for Haiti earthquake relief and recovery during the months of January and February.

Indiana United Methodist Bishop Mike Coyner said, “I am very proud but not surprised by this generous response. Our Indiana United Methodist people are generous and passionate about missions and helping those in need. I thank God for these gifts.” $15 million has been received for UMCOR Haiti Relief.

UMCOR is implementing a five-year work plan that contemplates three phases of assistance to Haiti: emergency, recovery, and rehabilitation.

  • 23,520 Health Kits were transported via free shipping to Catholic partners in Haiti.
  • UMCOR has hired a Head of Mission for the office in Haiti and has hired a Haiti Desk Officer to work in the New York City headquarters office. The local staff in Haiti now includes: 2 drivers, 1 office manager, 1 administrative assistant, 1 logistics assistant, and 1 program officer.  
  • UMCOR Health met with a dozen longtime partners in the field of health in Haiti to begin to address the need for a long-term health strategy in post-earthquake Haiti. The priorities they identified include the development of a comprehensive, integrated health strategy in which the represented agencies, US-based Methodist hospitals, United Methodist volunteers, and UMCOR would participate.
  • United Methodist Volunteers in Missions (UMVIM) Jurisdictional Coordinators met with UMCOR following a successful reconnaissance trip to Haiti. They proposed an ambitious three-year proposal to facilitate the work of volunteer teams for projects identified as priority by the Methodist Church in Haiti.
  • Layette kits and birthing kits, equipped for mothers and infants, are in great demand as Haitians begin to rebuild their lives. Please consider assembling layette kits and birthing kits to address the basic needs of babies born in displaced persons camps in Haiti. Contact your conference or district office to find out if a designated drop-off point has been established for a cost effective way to transport your supplies to either of the two UMCOR depots.

Please continue to be in prayer with the people of Haiti as they grieve their losses and strive to meet their day to day needs. (from www.gbgm-umc.org Haiti News Update)

How You Can Help 

Gifts to Haiti can be made by placing your gift in the offering plate at church (the check needs to be made out to St. Mark’s) or online by visiting www.umcorhaiti.org. For gifts by mail, please make checks payable to UMCOR and mail to UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. Be sure to indicate Haiti Emergency, UMCOR Advance #418325 on the memo line of your check. One hundred percent of gifts made to this advance will go to help the people of Haiti.

Tax Relief

A new law allows contributors to Haiti relief efforts to claim their cash donations on their 2009 tax returns, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The law, enacted January 22, refers to donations for Haiti relief made to charitable organizations such as UMCOR after January 11 and before March 1, 2010, whether these were made via text message, check, credit card or debit card. Taxpayers may make the deduction on either their 2009 or 2010 returns, but not both. Please visit IRS.gov for more details.